Oatmeal

Welcome to my oatmeal page! 🙂

If you haven’t already noticed, oatmeal is one of my #1 favourite foods. The main reason why I love it is because of its taste. Yes, nutrition is important, but I wouldn’t eat it every day if it tasted like rotten eggs or… celery. Ew. Anyways, oats are creamy, naturally sweet, and totally stick-to-your-ribs. They are the ultimate morning comfort food!

Lucky for me, it’s also one of the healthiest. Here are my top five reasons why.

1) The belly-filling fiber in oatmeal keeps me full for hours. Oatmeal is known for being rich in fiber. Just a third of a cup of oatmeal (with toppings) is enough to keep me going from 7:00 AM to lunch at 12:30. That’s pretty amazing! I know that if I have scrambled eggs with toast in the morning, my tummy will be grumbling in math class at 10:00.

2) Oatmeal is low-calorie, low-fat, and high in protein. A whole cup is about 130 calories. I usually have a scant 1/3 cup, which clocks in at about 130 calories. WOW! From what I know, it’s also got high levels of protein (quinoa has the most!).

3) It’s a whole grain with lots of vitamins and minerals. I really believe that the carbs (whole grain) help athletes like me perform better by providing a steady stream of energy, rather than short, sugar-induced bursts.

5) Oatmeal is said to prevent cardiovascular disease. That’s heart disease. Beta-glucan, a special fiber in oatmeal, lowers “bad cholesterol”. Beta-glucan is also known to help protect your tummy from bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi (this sounds like my Biology class…) and other icky little guys that can get into your intestines. Oh yeah, and they stabilize blood sugar. On top of controlling blood pressure and reducing the risk of diabetes, oatmeal is also full of antioxidants and potentially (still being researched) protect you from cancer.

Check out this website for more health benefits. Yay for healthy oatmeal!

**6) My mom’s favourite reason: Oatmeal is cheap! A big bag, which lasts about two months, will cost only $3.00 from your average department store (we get ours from Wal-Mart). Beware – because oatmeal is natural/healthy, you’ll find it at Whole Foods – for a MUCH higher price. Yesterday, I saw it at WF marked at $6.00 a bag! On discount at Superstore, the same huge bag of Quaker oats will cost only $2.50!

My mom also likes oatmeal because it helps her poop. I’m serious! The high fiber content relieves constipation – see this website for more information.

It’s also gluten-free, if you can’t have wheat. Make sure the oats are labelled “processed in a gluten-free environment” or something like that, because contamination could occur!

Oatmeal comes in three types: rolled, steel-cut, and instant. Steel-cut is the most pure, unprocessed version. Steel-cut oats are chewy, hearty, and toothsome. They are a little more “gluey”, and not as liquid/creamy. Steel-cut oats take a long time to cook, usually 30-40 minutes of simmering. Rolled oats are steel-cut oats that have been rolled flat. They cook in about five minutes, and turn out very creamy, soft, and tender. Rolled oats are my favourite! I like Quaker brand large-flake rolled oats. Instant oats are rolled oats that have been pressed even flatter. They cook in one or two minutes, usually in the microwave. Instant oats are usually heavily sweetened, and come in packets with powdered milk and flavour enhancers. Some people prefer the sweetness of instant oats, but why not add some maple syrup or honey to rolled oatmeal? It tastes way better. 😀

Now, before you go make yourself a bowl of plain oats with water, remember that oats are oats. They’re plain! They need some flavour! Here is how I make my oatmeal.

Ingredients:

♥ 1/3 cup dry rolled oats (you can amp it up to 1/2 cup if you have a regular appetite – I like saving mine for the toppings – or lower it to a scant 1/3 cup, which I do when I’m not too hungry)
♥ 1/3 cup milk (I like 2% organic and unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
♥ 1/3 cup water
♥ 1 pinch salt
♥ 1 big dash of cinnamon (I go super heavy on the cinnamon – usually 1/4 tsp or more. It goes so well with maple/honey and berries)

Directions:
1. Combine oats, milk, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Add banana if you like. Cover for three minutes (careful, you don’t want it to bubble over).
2. Cook, stirring occasionally. If you are using banana, stir continuously until emulsified.
3. When it reaches desired consistency, add stir-ins. Flax, cinnamon, and salt are my must-adds. Dried fruit are great, too.
4. Stir a little longer. Add a splash of milk if it’s too dry. Done!

Lastly, it’s important that you know the toppings make the oatmeal. Like salad, oatmeal isn’t yummy without toppings. I like adding a scoop of nut butter (extra protein + healthy fat), granola for crunch, sliced banana, fresh berries, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Try some… or all.

Share this:

Like this:

98 thoughts on “Oatmeal”

What an Awesome collection of oat bowls!
Although Singapore is hot all year round, this is one of my staples for brekkie. Steel cut oats are my favourite although I am happy with any variation of oats.

I love this! Oatmeal is my favourite, and is one of the reasons I wake up every morning feeling excited for breakfast! I can’t wait to try out some of your combinations: they all look amazing! Your blog is so much fun; I really enjoyed looking at your travel adventures. Can’t wait to see more! 🙂

You are so talented! Your recipes look amazing and I can’t believe how delicious and appetizing you have made oatmeal look! I love your blog and I’ll definitely keep looking for recipes. have a great day 🙂

Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by the Outer Eastern Permaculture Swap website! I love your website, I love how you are so creative with oats! I love oats too and I’m happy to eat them plain but I think my family don’t appreciate it plain so I’m going to try your many different recipes. Oats are now going to be so much more interesting for everyone! Really great website with great content – keep up the good work!